Word Origin & History

put late O.E. putung "instigation, urging," lit. "putting;" also pytan "put out, thrust out" (of eyes), probably from Gmc. stem that also produced Dan. putte "to put," Swed. dial. putta. Meaning "act of casting a heavy stone overhead" (as a trial of strength) is attested from c.1300. Adj. phrase put out "angry, upset" is first recorded 1887; to put out, of a woman, "to offer oneself for sex" is from 1947. Verb phrase put down "snub" is from c.1400; put-down (n.) first recorded 1962. To put up with "tolerate, accept" (1755) was originally to put up, as in "to pocket." To put (someone) on "deceive" ...is from 1958; put-on "deception" is from 1937; from an earlier adj. meaning "assumed, feigned" (1621), a fig. extension of the notion of putting on costumes or disguises.